Introduction to a Legendary Voice

The life story of Italian opera singing icon Andrea Bocelli is a testament to the power of resilience and determination. A documentary that premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival sheds light on his journey, including the accident that led to his visual disability.

Early Life and Accident

Andrea Bocelli’s life took a dramatic turn when he was just a little boy. He suffered an accident that would change his life forever, causing his blindness. In the documentary, Bocelli recounts, "When I was a child, I suffered from a big feature, I saw everything, but from just one distance. I remember the world that I saw, colors, everything, how can I forget these memories?"

The Brother’s Perspective

Alberto, Andrea’s brother, also shares his insights into Andrea’s journey. He reveals that Andrea underwent 13 operations for glaucoma in Turin when he was just 3 and a half years old. Due to his condition, Andrea was sent to an internal school for the blind when he was seven years old. Alberto recalls, "He only came home during the holidays, we visited him once a month."

The Accident that Changed Everything

The documentary highlights the accident that occurred when Andrea was twelve years old. While playing football in the internal school, a ball hit him straight in the face, leading to permanent blindness. Andrea describes this moment as the "worst moment" in his life. He says, "One day I played football and I was the goalkeeper, and I don’t know the reason because I wasn’t a goalkeeper before and I won’t be the goalkeeper again, the ball hit me straight into the face. I bleed from this blow … and everything that happened afterwards has become a story."

Overcoming Adversity

Andrea’s mother played a significant role in helping him cope with his disability. In an old interview, she made it clear that she never accepted the story of the "poor boy" after the accident, and Andrea didn’t either. This mindset helped Andrea to focus on his passion for music and eventually become one of the world’s most renowned opera singers.

The Documentary

The film, staged by Kozima Donor (Palaio), offers a unique glimpse into Andrea Bocelli’s life, showcasing his strength and determination in the face of adversity. Through his story, we are reminded that with perseverance and dedication, we can overcome even the most daunting challenges and achieve greatness.